What are food policies
Food policies are the guiding principles for addressing significant food issues. The Food Ministers’ Meeting issues food policy in the form of policy guidelines.
View the ministerial policy guidelines.
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) must consider the policy guidelines when developing food standards or reviewing the Food Standards Code.
Who develops food policies
In the joint food regulation system, the Food Regulation Standing Committee (FRSC):
- appoints project leads and working groups to develop policy
- oversees and guides policy development
- provides policy advice and options to the food ministers.
The Food Ministers’ Meeting approves food policy.
When food policies are developed
The need to develop food policy is identified in different ways, including through:
- discussion at the FRSC about a food issue
- a request from the food ministers
- consideration of food issues raised with the FSANZ.
The food ministers decide when a food issue or request should proceed to policy development.
How food policies are developed
The Food Regulation Policy Framework sets out the process to assess food issues and decide appropriate policy responses. It is a guide for those who develop policy on behalf of the food ministers.
Overview of the Food Regulation Policy Framework
A – Authorise policy project
B – Analyse and assess problem
C – Gateway 1 – Food ministers decide – Agreed priority?
D – Define success and intent
E – Develop and evaluate options
F – Provide policy advice
G – Gateway 2 – Food ministers decide – Proceed or not?
H – Selected option put in place
I – Evaluate policy success
J – Gather data, information and evidence (this happens from steps A to I)
K – Communicate and engage with all stakeholders (this happens from steps A to I)
Find out more
Food Regulation Policy Framework
